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Space Savers

02/01/09

From projectors and notebooks, to touch panels andclass capture appliances, the latest hardware isdesigned with size, simplicity, and convenience in mind.

Tiny Tablet

Fujitsu's LifeBook U820convertible mini-notebookweighs in at just 1.32pounds, yet offers full Windows Vista functionality. Half the size of a traditionalnotebook, the U820 transforms from a notebook to a tabletby rotating and folding down the screen. The device featuresa 5.6-inch WXGA touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard, an Intel Centrino Atom Z-series processor,integrated Bluetooth, a built-in GPS receiver and Garmin Mobile PC software, and 7.5 hours ofbattery life (with four-cell battery). The U820 is available witha hard-disk drive up to 120 GB or solid-state drive up to 64GB. Security features include a fingerprint sensor, BIOSlock, and Kensington lock slot.Prices start at $1,049 for base configuration. [Editor's Note: See "Good Things Come in SmallPackages," for more on the use of ultra-portabledevices in the classroom.]

Portable LCD Projector

The PLC-XW57 portable 3LCD projector from Sanyoweighs 6.4 pounds and boasts a small footprint of 13 x 9.3x 3.15 inches. Rated at 2,000 lumens, the PLC-XW57 is outfittedwith a 200-watt UHP lamp for high brightness and balancedcolor reproduction. A 3D Automatic UniformityCorrection Control circuit ensures picture uniformity, balancinguneven color and brightness gradations for a morenatural image. Fan noise has been limited with Sanyo's IntelligentFan Operation Linear Control System, which reducesfan noise according to changes in the unit's internal temperature.MSRP: $895.

Super-Slim and Ultra-Bright

The XJ-S47 DLP projector is part of Casio's Ultra BrightSeries, designed for high-brightness applications andmobile presenters. At only 1.69 inches high, the super-slimdevice offers RS-232 connectivity, 2,700 ANSI lumen output,XGA native resolution, a 2x power zoom lens, and iscompatible with Crestron, Extron, and AMX products.The XJ-S47 includes a USB port for wireless connectivitythrough an optional wireless LAN adaptor that allowsup to four PCs to connect tothe projector at atime. The USB portalso supports PClesspresentationswith a USB thumbdrive. Price: $1,199.99.

PC-Free Lecture Capture

Echo 360's EchoSystem Capture Appliance is a compact non-PCdevice for lecture capture and podcasting that can beinstalled in a podium or as a single unit of an equipmentrack. The system schedules, monitors, assembles, andpublishes class content as rich media in a completely automatedworkflow. This creates a hub for lecture-captureoperations with a scalable, distributed computing architecturethat streamlines the time and staff needed to managecampuswide lecture capture. As an integratedcomponent of the EchoSystem, IT staff can monitor capturestatus with a web-based interface, and remotelyupdate capture software for all appliances across a university.In addition, the system now features automaticclosed captioning for lecture recordings, in compliancewith Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. Price: $2,495(not including software).

Interactive Wireless Tablet

Qwizdom's Q7 Presenter is a wireless tabletthat combines radio-frequencytechnology,presenter controls, and response system interactivity. Thelightweight rechargeable tablet allows instructors to create,annotate, and interact with screen objects on an interactive whiteboard, andcontrol computerapplications withoutbeing tethered to aworkstation. Userscan view notes, presentationindicators,and input from studentson the tablet'sLCD screen. Theyalso can view studentresponse data, requests for help, and control all standardSRS features when the device is used with Qwizdom's Student Response System. Price: $429 ($300 when purchasedwith a Qwizdom SRS).

Space-Saving PC

Designed for space-constrainedoffices, the OptiPlex 160 fromDell is the company's smallestcommercial desktop system,weighing less than 5 pounds andfeaturing a space-saving designwith innovative mounting options.The PC offers an energy-efficientinternal power supply, up to 160GB hard drive or up to 64 GBsolid-state drive, optional wirelessnetworking, up to 4 GB of memory,and a low-voltage Intel Atomprocessor. Contact vendor forpricing.

Network-Ready Visual Presenter

The AVerVisionSPB370 Platform Visual Presenter fromAVerMedia combines a 5 megapixel camera sensor and1080p HD output with real-time 30fps video speed. The20x AVer Optical Zoom provides clarity when zoomingin on small details or text, with a total zoom capabilityof 160x. The SPB370's networking capability enablesusers to connect to and view a live presentationthrough a school's local area network, and presenterscan allow the document camera's features (such asannotation, zoom, or image capture) to be controlledby remote LAN participants via a web browser. A full8 x 11 inch lightbox accommodates the presentationof slides, transparencies, negatives, and X-raysin a clear, large format. MSRP: $2,999.99.